GREATER HARTFORD TRANSIT DISTRICT
ADA PARTICIPATION GROUP FORUM
Wednesday May 20, 2009
Attendees: Beverly Jackson, Yvonne Loteczka, Janet Wallans, Pat Williams-GHTD, DJ Gonzalez-GHTD, Valerie Ellis-GHTD, Manny Gonzalez-First Transit, Vicki Shotland-GHTD, Paul O’Brien-First Transit , and Karyn Bennett First Transit.
The forum began at 5:05 pm.
Noted below are the statistics for March and April
Operations:
Total passenger trips for the month of March were 23,362, No Shows 676 (3%), cancellations 6,627 (28%) April passengers trips were 23,727, No shows 590 (2%), cancellations 6,442 (27%)
Assessments:
In March 123 ADA applications were received; 87 were new, 36 recertified and 98 ADA eligibilities were completed. Out of the 98 completed ADA eligibilities, 69 received a specific approval condition, 4 denied, and 25 were withdrawn. In April 111 ADA applications were received; 78 were new, 33 recertified and 107 ADA eligibilities were completed. Out of the 107 completed ADA eligibilities, 68 received a specific approval condition, 5 denied, and 34 were withdrawn.
Customers Service:
In March 48 comments were received from passengers; 29% were compliments, 71% were driver, dispatch, reservationists and/or scheduling complaints, 0% was mechanical and/or related to safety. In April, 50 comments were received from passengers; 40% were compliments, 48% were driver, dispatch, reservationists and/or scheduling complaints, 6% was mechanical and/or related to safety, 6% other.
Ms. Williams shared information about a transportation group, Independent Transport Network of North Central Connecticut, which offers additional Dial-A-Ride service to seniors for a fee. This service covers the following towns: Enfield, Windsor, East Windsor, South Windsor, Windsor Locks, Granby, East Granby, Bloomfield, Somers and Suffield. For additional information contact them at itnnorthcentralct.org or (860) 758-7833.
Ms. Wallans shared with the group the following information. On Thursday, May 21st at 2pm a telephone conference was to be held regarding seniors and people with disabilities and their rights to a healthy, independent living at home. You can visit their site at declarationforindependence.org or 1-877-485-3103 for further information on this subject.
Mr. O’Brien shared with the group April ridership statistics which are indicated above.
DJ Gonzalez advised the group that GHTD will be purchasing about 20+ new vehicles. Mr. Gonzalez is also aware of the concern in which riders have in regards to the high steps entering the vehicles. Mr. Gonzalez explained there is a standard height for the vehicle and as the vehicle gets older the springs are worn which causes the vehicle to be lower. This is why the newer vehicles will seem to be higher than the older ones. GHTD did look into low flow vehicles similar to CTTransit but the cost of these vehicles are twice the amount and the ramp did not look very safe.
| Comment: |
Janet Wallans |
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Ms. Wallans commented that the driver seat in the new vehicle is a step down and this can be dangerous. In addition, Ms. Wallans noticed that the newer vehicles do not have retractable seat belts and it would be nice to have these in the vehicles that will be purchased.
Ms. Wallans inquired about how the appointment time operates. In particular, her scheduled ride on Monday, May 18th. |
| Response: |
After the meeting, GHTD and FT will take a look at the step on a vehicle to assess Ms. Wallans concern.
Ms. Bennett explained that if both riders are going in the same direction mostly likely the rider who has the appointment time will probably be dropped off first. On some occasions, the person who does not have an appointment might be dropped off first because it is the most efficient route. Ms. Bennett will respond back to Ms. Wallans regarding her specific concern. |
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| Comment: |
Ms. Loteczka |
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Ms. Loteczka had a concern regarding the lift on the new vehicles. She stated that the portion of the ramp that is inside the vehicle has a slight incline or bump and that the ramp is not flush with the floor.
Ms. Loteczka commented that the advertisement wrap on the vehicles are pealing and this makes it difficult to look out of the windows.
Ms. Loteczka shared with the group about her trip today, May 20th. The vehicle did not stop or slow down to pick up Ms. Loteczka. Ms. Loteczka was on time waiting for the vehicle inside the store. |
| Response: |
FT will look into all of Ms. Loteczka issues and respond back to her. |
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| Comment: |
Beverly Jackson
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Ms. Jackson handed out a brief outline and spoke to the group about her concern. Ms. Jackson had a 3:00pm scheduled pickup from her home in Newington to Manchester Community College in Manchester. She asked to be there at 3:45pm. The driver performed other drop-offs before taking Ms. Jackson to MCC. Ms. Jackson arrived late, 4:30pm, at MCC. Ms. Jackson tried to explain to the driver that she was going to be late for an appointment. Ms. Jackson felt the driver did not care and was not respectful of her communication issue.
The driver did not apologize for being late. Ms. Jackson’s trip home was an improvement. The driver was punctual, courteous and listened to her.
Ms. Jackson volunteered to provide training for drivers. |
| Response: |
Ms. Williams suggested that Ms. Jackson give herself more time when scheduling important appointments. Ms. Bennett explained that it would be beneficial if riders can communicate to the reservationists the latest possible time they have to be at their appointment. FT will follow-up with the driver on how he handled Ms. Jackson’s trip. DJ Gonzalez commented that it would be nice for Ms. Jackson to come in and speak with the drivers. |
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| Comment: |
Juanita Collazo |
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Ms. Collazo is representing the program manager at CW Resources on a specific issue. Ms. Collazo stated that she was advised by the customer service department that she cannot inquiry about another rider’s trip. Ms. Collazo was trying to see why a rider had not yet arrived at CW Resources/West Hartford last Thursday. The rider arrived late at CW Resource and he was not able to be transported by CW Resource to his job site in East Granby. Ms. Collazo stated that she was responsible for finding out what time the rider actually got picked up.
Ms. Collazo was visually upset when she stated her Wednesday, May 20th concern to the group. The dispatcher advised Ms. Collazo that her driver will not be there to pick her for another 20 to 30 minutes because they cannot find the driver. The dispatcher also communicated to Ms. Collazo that she will have to find her own way home. Ms. Collazo did not appreciate how the dispatcher handled the entire situation and expressed how inappropriate the dispatcher was. Ms. Collazo did comment that there are dispatchers who go out of their way to assist her. |
| Response: |
DJ Gonzalez commented that we do not discuss passenger’s trips with other passengers. Mr. Gonzalez stated that this is for the safety and confidentiality of all of the riders. Mr. O’Brien suggested that Ms. Collazo submit a letter to First Transit identifying her as a representative of CW Resources and that she is authorized to inquiry about rider’s trips who attend CW Resources. FT will contact CW Resources for this information.
DJ Gonzalez stated that this was unacceptable behavior by the dispatcher and the concern will be investigated. It is our, policy to take every rider home. |
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